Falcons respond as great teams should, beat Lions (updated)
Michael Palmer celebrates with Tony Gonzalez after his one-yard touchdown catch made it 21-3. (AP)
(Updated: 1:15 a.m.)
DETROIT – With no guarantees for the future, the Falcons nonetheless did all they could Saturday night to comfort its fan base and fire a warning shot over the rest of the NFL’s playoff field. They are ready this time.
The bandwagon still seemed half-empty after 11 wins. The 34-0 bodyslam of the New York Giants last week caused a majority of skeptics to reconsider their position.
But after Saturday’s 31-18 win over the Detroit Lions, the doubters almost certainly represent an extreme minority, like those few purchasing the only sweater at full retail before Christmas.
This was a test for the Falcons. They passed. They didn’t “go cool,” as tight end Tony Gonzalez had put it days after the win over the Giants. They stepped on the gas. They jumped out to a 21-3 lead on three touchdown passes by Matt Ryan. They survived some hiccups in the third and rebounded when Ryan orchestrated one of the best scoring drives of the season, with six straight completions and a 16-yard scramble (where did that come from?)
Ryan completed 25 of 32 for 279 yards and four touchdowns. For the second straight week, he looked as good as he has at any time in his career.
You wanted a statement? This was it. A win over the Lions doesn’t equate to a win over the Giants in marquee value. But it says something about a team’s strength, character and direction when it can win this kind of game. They’ve rendered the final regular season game against Tampa Bay meaningless. They’ve clinched the NFC’s No. 1 seed and home field through the playoffs.
Now all they have to do is make this count for something.
“It means a lot because this was one of the goals,” wide receiver Roddy White said. “We wanted to play in the (Georgia) Dome and have everybody come to us, and then we’ll give them our best shot.”
White led the Falcons with eight catches for 153 yards and two touchdowns. And it’s hard to look good when you’re a receiver playing in the same game as Calvin Johnson. The former Georgia Tech star finished with 11 catches for 225 yards and broke Jerry Rice’s single season NFL record for receiving yardage.
Lions’ fans in Ford Field exploded after Johnson’s record-breaking catch. The Falcons didn’t mind because they had already secured the win and everything they came for.
“I like our chances (in the playoffs) a lot better at home with the Dome rocking,” Gonzalez said. “But it doesn’t mean anything obviously. We still have to go out there and play. It doesn’t mean we’ve arrived. We still have to go out there and play some great football.”
Matt Ryan threw for 279 yards and four touchdowns and is playing at his best. (AP)
They still have something to prove. But the Falcons are a team with direction. The Lions are a team in need of a fire extinguisher. They seem to be in a perpetual grease fire.
How is it that a franchise can have a jewel of a player like Johnson and yet be 4-11 with a seven-game losing streak, long-since exterminated from playoff contention? Lions’ fans exhibited two emotions in the first half: They cheered Johnson and booed almost everybody else.
The Falcons lquickly eased concerns of a letdown following the win over the Giants. They played fast, jumping out to an early lead. They seemed loose. In pre-game warm-ups, all of the players huddled around wide receiver Harry Douglas, who exhibited some break-dancing moves, jumping up in the air and doing a belly landing on the turf. (Wasn’t he just on the injury list with sore ribs, or was that a smoke screen?)
Ryan was at the center of the early assault. He completed his first 12 attempts. In the half, he went 15-for-16 for 184 yards and three touchdowns.
There was that one incomplete intended for Julio Jones in the end zone. Wimp.
Ryan actually had 22 straight completions before that pass, two short of the NFL record, going back to the Giants game. Ryan laughed when asked about the near-record, saying, “They told me about it after the game. But I was preoccupied with other things. … It’s one of those things you don’t really talk about on the sideline. Don’t feed the demons.”
It was 7-0 in the first quarter after White, on a third-and-1 play, burned ex-Falcon Chris Houston for a 44-yard touchdown in the first quarter. It was 14-3 in the second after Ryan checked down to White, who took advantage of a great down-field block by Sam Baker on Detroit Louis Delmas, who streaked 39 yards for another score.
The Lions’ second fumble of the game — by Johnson at the Lions’ 40 – set up the Falcons’ third score. On second down from the 16, Ryan lofted a pass toward the back right corner of the end zone for Jones, who made the catch and somehow dragged both feet in bounds to make it 21-3.
At that point, it seemed like the Falcons’ only chance of losing this game depended on how many nations Johnson would conquer in one night. He had nine catches for 178 yards through three quarters. It was he and quarterback Matthew Stafford who largely engineered a 60-yard touchdown drive in the third quarter that suddenly made things uncomfortable in Falcons’ land (21-13). An ensuing field goal made it 21-16.
But Ryan restored order. Just as he took over in the Giants game last week, he took over again, completing six straight passes. He had a 16-yard scramble on second-and-17. And after completions to White, Jones and Gonzalez, who does Ryan throw to for the one yard touchdown? Michael Palmer. That made it 28-16.
Asante Samuel picked off Stafford on Detroit’s next possession. That pretty much was it. The Falcons were soon celebrating a win, a bye week and a No. 1 seed.
We’ll soon find out what it means. But they have to like the view.
By Jeff Schultz
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194 comments Add your comment
Fan since 66
December 23rd, 2012
11:02 am
JSS, I am not so vain that I think every post is addressed to me…I’ll leave that to others. I do, however reserve the right to comment on any post on here that I have an opinion on. I try to converse with each poster in a respectful way, unlike others on the blogs. I try to engage you in a discussion of my Falcons and a realistic approach to their play. That you choose to post in the manner that you do makes me wonder “why you gotta be so mean”. And if you don’t care what the Falcon’s chances are…it begs to be answered…you are you even on here? Just sayin’…
Go Falcons!
JSS
December 23rd, 2012
11:03 am
They are regular season stats, what were the Packers offensive stats TO last year (before the playoffs)?
Fan since 66
December 23rd, 2012
11:08 am
@ Ramguy. Well said. I believe some would not be happy if the Falcons went 16-0, swept the playoffs, and beat their Superbowl opponent 83-0. What we seem to have this year is a well coached, well prepared, and talented team. In spite of the naysayers…you can’t argue with 13-2. I am expecting a 14-2 record, unless we just phone in the game on Sunday. Those that say the ‘Birds only play up to their opponents level are making my point. They DO play up to their level…and just a little bit better. Doesn’t that translate into wins? Duhhh!
Go Falcons!
JSS
December 23rd, 2012
11:10 am
Simple answer: it’s professional football… Patriots fans have no problem with that, Texans fans have no problem with that, Ravens fans have no problem with that, Steelers (especially Steelers) fans have no problem with that, Giants fans have no problem with that, Saints fans have no problem with that, Colts fans have no problem with that, Redskins, Bears fans have no problem with that, Seahawks fans have no problem with that, and on & on… The only people who seem to have a problem are AJC related bloggers and some Cowboys fans (using that word lightly)…
Fan since 66
December 23rd, 2012
11:12 am
JSS that’s the point I’m trying to make. I don’t care about last year’s stats, regular season or playoff. This is this year, the teams all have another year experience under their collective belts, and that makes things different. You can’t say that this Falcon offense and defense is the same as last year. They ARE better and the level of play shows it. That makes last year irrelevant. This year, I believe, and the stats are showing it, that the Falcons are one of the best in the league.
Go Falcons!
DawgNole
December 23rd, 2012
11:15 am
Mike “CHOKE” Dogs To Death
December 23rd, 2012
9:09 am
Pamela (CHOKE), where are you? We’re all waiting for you to tell us how “meaningless” this game was, and to remind us once again how “meaningless” the Giants game was, but how meaningFUL the Carolina loss was.
How “meaningless” is 25 of 32 for 279 yards, 4 TD and 0 INT?
Tell us how a team that’s 13-2 are “losers,” and tell us again how great Mike is because he won a playoff game when he was just 22, TEN YEARS AGO.
All this really tells us is how CLUELESS you are about football!
_______________________
You haven’t heard?
Early in last night’s live game blog, Jeff heeded the calls of his posters by scolding MCR for the nature of–and motivation behind–his comments. MCR soon thereafter left in a huff. The applause from the blog was thunderous.
Truth be told, MCR likely was looking for an out, since it has become increasingly obvious that Ryan is far exceeding Vick as a QB, and that he APPEARS to have the Falcons in line for their first playoff win since Vick was here. IF that happens, MCR, who’s no doubt sulking in a corner somewhere this morning, can no longer stand on his only valid criticism of Ryan–that he hasn’t won in the postseason.
If, on the other hand, the Falcons go one and done yet again, I don’t believe MCR will be able to resist one more “Ha Ha” visit, so indeed you may yet see him again. All the more reason it’s important for the Falcons to take that next step THIS season.
In the meantime, let’s enjoy the blog w/o his worthless azz hanging around, endlessly repeating the same hateful, lame crap all season long.
Fan since 66
December 23rd, 2012
11:16 am
I lost you…what is the problem and what is the question?
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned by Bill King, Chip Towers & only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
December 23rd, 2012
11:22 am
I swear I think some of you could be having sex with your fantasy girl and complain afterwards that she farted in the bed while you slept.
The Falcons are MORE perfect than any other team so far this season.
Be happy
Be positive
Quit ya bith’n and enjoy the ride,
JSS
December 23rd, 2012
11:22 am
66…
But you’re going to try to make this season’s result relevant on the playoff stage… It is just as irrelevant then, just as 2010 regular season was… Some team who will not be a one-legged team like the 2010 Seattle Seahawks team was is going to show-up at the weekend of January 13th. And when the smoke clears from all that phony fan fare, then it will be a new season with a team that spent the previous week getting battle tested… I won’t be losing any sleep…
JSS
December 23rd, 2012
11:27 am
You asked “why?” I answered: “It’s professional football.” The blogs of other teams have no problem with dissenting voices, Only AJC Falcons bloggers and Cowboys fans have a problem…
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned by Bill King, Chip Towers & only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
December 23rd, 2012
11:27 am
Jeff Schultz
December 22nd, 2012
8:03 pm
Matt “Choke” Ryan – You know my policy on banning generally is limited to matters pertaining to race, profanity, etc. But I’m considering expanding the criteria just for you. So while you’re welcome to be critical of somebody or something, if the only purpose of you commenting on a blog is to stir up trouble and provoke a response (or responses), understand that you may be banned. And yes, this is completely subjective on my part. So be careful where you step from this moment forward. And this is your one and only warning. And no, I’m not up for a debate.
JSS
December 23rd, 2012
11:29 am
“Fantasy” is an operative word in your word… SMH… What are you doing giggling?
DawgNole
December 23rd, 2012
11:30 am
Fan since 66
December 23rd, 2012
11:12 am
I don’t care about last year’s stats, regular season or playoff. This is this year, the teams all have another year experience under their collective belts, and that makes things different. You can’t say that this Falcon offense and defense is the same as last year. They ARE better and the level of play shows it. That makes last year irrelevant. This year, I believe, and the stats are showing it, that the Falcons are one of the best in the league.
_____________________
Last year alone might be irrelevant, but 46 years with ZERO champions most assuredly is NOT irrelevant. No, this is not the same team, but you can’t simply throw out its entire history when considering its chances for a deep postseason run this season.
“. . . the Falcons are one of the best in the league.” True, and they were two years ago as well–at 13-3. How’d that work out?
When you’ve closely followed nearly a half-century of postseason failures and bitter disappointments, as I and many others on here have, it’s not so easy to believe that “this (FINALLY!) is the year”–even after 13 wins.
The nice part about it is that we won’t have to wait long to see if this really is THE year. The Falcons have earned what every team wants–a bye week and homefield advantage throughout the pre-SB playoffs. Let’s see if they can finally reward their long-suffering fans with a championship. Certainly they’re in an excellent position at this point to do exactly that.
Fan since 66
December 23rd, 2012
11:37 am
Dawg…Believe me, I am down with that! I too, have suffered with the rest of you. I am not a fair weather fan who suddenly believes the promise land is in sight. However, I do sense something different this year. Can’t really put my finger on it…it’s not really tangible. But I, and others who follow the Falcons, do feel it. Hopefully, I’m not casting my hopes on, as someone so eloquently put it, “a f@rt in a wind”. Like you say, we don’t have long to wait. But in the meantime, I’ll do as fans have done since the start of organized sports…I will pull for my team till the very end.
Go Falcons!
JustSomeSucka is a Troll
December 23rd, 2012
11:47 am
I find it absolutely amazing that The Blog Troll has the testes calls anyone else out on this blog. For ANYTHING.
Why does anyone else take anything The Blog Troll says seriously? “Thomas Brown” is absolutely correct in pegging this turd as nothing more than an incessantly arrogant, needlessly narcissistic, and completely and totally in love with his own sense overrated, google-enhanced intelligence jerk.
What’s the deal with someone who gets his biggest jollies from coming on a blog to tell everyone who happens to be a fan of a sports team just how much better he thinks he is because he’s NOT a fan?
Seriously, for a guy who claims to be better than us, above us, smarter than us, more refined than us, he sure does come on here and spew forth his faux-intellectual b.s. upon the page, doesn’t he? I mean really. REALLY. Really, JSS? REALLY?
You don’t “care?” If you don’t “care” as much as you say, then why the hell do you bother coming on here to do everything you can to suck the joy out of the room? What kind of sick person, what kind of poor excuse for a human being spends hours upon hours creeping and trolling on a blog for fans with his nonsensical garbage as you do? What kind of p.o.s. gets off on trying to make other people miserable?
Human garbage. That’s what internet trolls like The Blog Troll is. Human garbage.
GB's Hamburgers
December 23rd, 2012
11:54 am
Ryan reminded me of the last quarterback to get us to the Super Bowl … Chris Chandler. Chandler’s specialty was his ability to move the team while under incredible pressure. Matt did that last night, especially on the last drive. He’s turning into a great QB.
Fan since 66
December 23rd, 2012
11:55 am
@JSS is a troll Try to relax man! We all know what make JSS tick, I think. Right now he is probably rereading your post several times, “laughing all the way”. Let’s just try to maintain a good blog that real Falcon fans can enjoy. Take it for what it is… I try to engage him in a friendly manner, but to no avail. Have fun today…alas, I have to go to work. This retirement gig is getting to me!
At least I won’t have to watch another dvr replay of my Falcons tonight!
Go Falcons!
Jaded
December 23rd, 2012
11:57 am
This team might be ready to get to a Super Bowl. An elite QB can cover a lot of ills, and there can be no doubt anymore that Ryan is elite. All we have to do is win two home games to get to New Orleans, and with our dominant record at the Dome since 2008, you have to like our chances.
I still would like to see us get a big, physical back and another pass rusher this offseason to become a truly complete team, but with no perfect squads in the NFL there’s no reason the Falcons can’t hoist the Lombardi Trophy, this year.
With Ryan at the helm, we’re in the same position the Colts were in for over a decade with Peyton and the Pats have been in with Brady since 2001. We’re going to be in the hunt every year for a long time.
JSS
December 23rd, 2012
11:59 am
Nope, you’re wrong as usual, I’m on Skype group blog on a specialty Steelers blog discussing the future of Mike Wallace… Troll that with your short-sighted comment…
Answer This
December 23rd, 2012
12:03 pm
Fan66 and all the others fans on the blog….we are:
1. 13-2….not to bad
2. Home field and bye week….I like those chances.
3. Looks like Ryan is getting in playoff mode….?…..look really good last two weeks…perhaps a half next week and we call it? No injuries!
4. Winning without Willie Mo….which is important because I think he brings that hammer down on Tailbacks…hopefully he makes a difference like Spoon when healthy and playing again.
5. I see a hungry team that is not scared of anyone either…..who cares if no other team is afraid of us….we are not afraid of any other team (bears repeating).
Lets roll into next week stay healthy get some quality minutes in and take 14-2 if we can if not stay healthy! Rise Up the playoffs are coming!
JSS
December 23rd, 2012
12:05 pm
@ 11:47AM…
Did you make sure to wipe after dropping that load? Did you vomit it up or drop it the conventional way? Need a colostomy bag. they deliver you know…
Just so you know, that is some bile for your bile… Make like a bored bi-ped and throw it against your wall…
JustSomeSucka is a Troll
December 23rd, 2012
12:28 pm
Why would I even have to, Blog Troll?
You’ve been flinging crap against the wall of this blog since last night. Really, dude, you have absolutely no situational awareness or self-awareness, do you? You say something like that, without any idea of the crap you come on here and fling after every single Falcons game. You pretend like you don’t care. You protest weekly that you don’t care. And yet here you are. Telling us again how much better you are than the rest of us. Impressing absolutely no one with your internet-gleaned facts and figures that are all full of sound and fury signifying nothing.
So please, continue. Continue with your garbage. Continue being an enormous feminine hygiene product and the bag from whence it came. Continue protesting WAY too much about how you don’t care. Continue trolling this blog because you subsist off of the misery of others so you must make everyone else miserable. You life is a pathetic waste. People like you have no friends. You’ve driven them all away with your incredible narcissistic ego and “better than everything” attitude. So all you have is this: blog trolling. All you have is blog trolling for ANY kind of human interaction.
You are a sad, sad, pitiable poor excuse for a human being. But because you are also a gigantic said feminine hygiene product and the bag from whence it came, no one feels sorry for you. We just loathe you, and your incessant need to suck the joy out of about which we come here to express our happiness. You’re a miserable forgettable unintelligent cretinous krank.
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned by Bill King, Chip Towers & only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
December 23rd, 2012
12:32 pm
I guess we want the Saints and Steelers to win today.
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned by Bill King, Chip Towers & only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
December 23rd, 2012
12:34 pm
I can just feel all the Christmas Love flowing through this blog.
JSS
December 23rd, 2012
12:42 pm
Ha ha, look at the bi-ped with all of that 8th grade tough guy talk at the expense of bad 1990s TV ads! Did you enjoy all of that? Poor little uncreative multi user-name victim, so worried about my social life… Loathe on, if it gets you one more day closer to losing you uncollective mind, man I might take up 24/7 blogging till you lose it completely! Nah, I’m going to see Fishbone at the Key Club next week and get back in time to enjoy the coronation game for the self-satisfied…
Answer This
December 23rd, 2012
12:42 pm
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Funny
Answer This
December 23rd, 2012
12:43 pm
Talking about Put in time out…..lol…..
JSS
December 23rd, 2012
12:46 pm
If mass-murder doesn’t change the nature of you bloggers, why would you think a religious holiday would do such a thing? Most of you would have the first in line to witness public lynchings for thrills…
JSS
December 23rd, 2012
12:49 pm
@ 12:28P…
You too can receive treatment for your recurring problems…
http://www.abreva.com/
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned by Bill King, Chip Towers & only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
December 23rd, 2012
12:50 pm
Answer This
December 23rd, 2012
12:43 pm
Talking about Put in time out…..lol…..
================================
Are you just STUPID or can you really not read? JSS is talking about……….. JustSomeSucka is a Troll……..you idiot.
Mike "CHOKE" Dogs To Death
December 23rd, 2012
1:17 pm
DawgNole
December 23rd, 2012
11:15 am
You haven’t heard?
Early in last night’s live game blog, Jeff heeded the calls of his posters by scolding MCR for the nature of–and motivation behind–his comments. MCR soon thereafter left in a huff. The applause from the blog was thunderous.
______________________________
No, I missed that. Good riddance, Pamela (CHOKE)!
Dand, this will mean I’ll need a new screen name!
HA HA
Mike "CHOKE" Dogs To Death
December 23rd, 2012
1:22 pm
Dang
Answer This
December 23rd, 2012
1:24 pm
Not into the name calling but I was actually laughing at your joke about the “Christmas Love flowing through the blog” statement….so you my little friend need to pay down apologies…..your name calling to me was not warranted.
Anyway we still Rising Up!
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned by Bill King, Chip Towers & only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
December 23rd, 2012
1:28 pm
Answer This……..I see. JSS was in a fight with the other guy and I thought you meant ME. I haven’t been arguing today really…Sorry.
Mike "CHOKE" Dogs To Death
December 23rd, 2012
1:37 pm
13-2
Top seed
1st round bye
Vick done
Eagles suck
Cowboys suck
Saints suck
Choke gone
What a glorious time to be a Falcons fan
Merry Christmas, everyone!
JustSomeSucka is a Troll
December 23rd, 2012
2:12 pm
Please, Blog Troll… if you don’t care so much, prove it. If you’re above us all, prove it. If you’re so much smarter than everyone else, prove it. We come here to talk about a team we enjoy. You come here to do nothing but run everyone else down. And you don’t care? And you’re above us all? Prove it, Blog Troll. Prove it.
You are nothing but a waste of precious oxygen, your constant garbage words spewed forth with abandon and noxious carbon dioxide, which is of course helping to increase global warming. You offer nothing to anyone here of positive attitude or fraternity. You do nothing but sew discord with an incessant, narcissistic need to bring everyone else down to prop yourself up.
So you don’t care? You’re above all of us who do? Prove it. Come on, big man. Prove it.
Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & Tired
December 23rd, 2012
3:28 pm
Is it just me…..or is anyone else tired of seeing Turner run for a one yard gain on 1st down or for a lost?
The run play that resulted in the safety was really a bad offensive play too since it meant that Turner would be trying to run out of the end zone. Turner trying to run an end around sweep is also a bad offensive play.
Laughing out Loud
December 23rd, 2012
4:06 pm
Mega Tron is to smart to play for fans like the Falcon fans on this blog….haters, critics, naysayers, doubters, know it alls especially when it comes to coaching! Calvin polays for Lions fans who apprciate who he is and what he does on the field and off.
charles
December 23rd, 2012
4:16 pm
You cant blame the falcons for TRYING to get turner going-we will need some semblance of a running game to keep defenses honest and better to find out now than in the playoffs!
JSS
December 23rd, 2012
4:36 pm
Is that an Tourette’s or what your suffering from @ 2:12? “Prove It!” “Wapner,” “Prove It!” “Wapner,” “Prove It!” “Wapner,” “Prove It!” “Wapner,” “Prove It!” “Wapner,”
Dude, go see a neurologist, your issues and just foul manner are so endearing. The way you throw around the great references to terms that gone on the great publicity ashe heap in the sky is so impressive. Maybe it is because your mind has that “not so fresh feeling” of constant play-off failure. Your “pure joy” in trying to live thru the success of others has been defiled, boo-hoo! Oh, that is right, your attachment issues are just outstanding!
Remember to take a 81mg Aspirin, we don’t want to having an cardiac episode or some other malady… The mental illness, well only a mental health professional can get you on the road to getting a grip on your need to create bogeymen… Oh yeah, Boo!!!
AU Ray
December 23rd, 2012
6:19 pm
I would be much more excited about the playoffs IF Falcons could actually run the ball. Amazing how unstoppable this team would be if they had a good RB to go along with Matt, Roddy, Tony & Julio. Michael Turner, bless his heart, is just too darn slow. Mark it down…that will be ATL in the playoffs.
Delbert D.
December 23rd, 2012
7:09 pm
I guess the Giants weren’t that good after all. Ravens are torching them.
Henry
December 23rd, 2012
7:56 pm
I fully expect the Falcons to go one and out in the playoffs. History says that in the Matt Ryan era, they choke in the money games.
Panic fan
December 24th, 2012
1:32 am
That is what this team is doing setting records and writing history every week This team has best chance they could create for playoff run GO BIRDS!!